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Six-way negotiations are in full swing for a third straight day in the Chinese capital to ease tensions triggered by North Korea's nuclear drive. North Korea has offered to freeze its nuclear activities in what is considered the most dramatic concession to date. But at the same time, it accused the United States of stalling progress at the dialogue table in a hastily arranged press conference outside its embassy in Beijing late Thursday. "Despite our flexible attitude, the United States continues to demand that we abandon our nuclear program first, that is, all of our nuclear programs including our peaceful nuclear activity, then they will discuss our demands with us."
Ironically, the about-face move drew little reaction from observers following the talks since the North Koreans have a history of making harsh rhetoric. But the statement does reflect a wide gap between the U.S. and North Korean positions on the nuclear standoff.
In an unofficial one-on-one session following a full session Thursday, Pyeongyang reiterated its intention to maintain peaceful nuclear activity while dismantling only nuclear weapons. Washington, on the other hand, repeated its demands for the North to abandon all nuclear programs, including both its alleged uranium-based and known plutonium-based programs.
Amid deep divisions in demands it's unclear whether the talks can end with a joint statement. Some analysts are hopeful about some kind of progress pointing to some flexibility from the U.S. and North Korean sides as well as the calm and sincere atmosphere at the table. They predict the six participating nations will at least agree to a date for a third round or a working group meeting and reaffirm the need for further multilateral negotiations. If there's one thing this latest round of six-party talks has proved it is that the road to diffusing nuclear tensions on the Korean peninsula will likely be a long one requiring not only continued diplomatic effort but also a sincere attitude on the part of North Korea.
Arirang TV
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